I’d be lying if I said this off season has gone as planned for the Flyers. I’d also be lying if I said the Flyers would be opening the regular season on time with the pending lockout hanging over everything. However, until September, business must go on and the Flyers have made a move to lock up their own in Wayne Simmonds. Acquired in the Mike Richards trade last summer, Simmonds collected career highs in goals and points this year and showed nice grit. A nice move by the Flyers, however they still need either a.) two defensemen (all star to elite level) or b.) a goalie upgrade.

I’d be lying if I said this off season has gone as planned for the Flyers. I’d also be lying if I said the Flyers would be opening the regular season on time with the pending lockout hanging over everything. However, until September, business must go on and the Flyers have made a move to lock up their own in Wayne Simmonds. Acquired in the Mike Richards trade last summer, Simmonds collected career highs in goals and points this year and showed nice grit. A nice move by the Flyers, however they still need either a.) two defensemen (all star to elite level) or b.) a goalie upgrade.

A few things stood out in the Eagles first preseason game. For one, they don’t look ready for the real games to start. For two, they have some players that they probably need to let go of that they did not envision letting go of because of production, numbers or their place in their respective careers. On the same token, some guys need to be kept on the roster that they may have figured would be goners. Let’s start with who may be the goners :

“Goners”

1.) Jai Jarrett : Jarrett has done nothing since the day he was drafted to justify his foolish 2nd round selection. When Howie Roseman talks about guys that he has reached on in the past to pick for need, he’s looking at you, Jai. I think he gets cut. His preseason game one performance was dreadful.

2.) Darryl Tapp : Tapp has been a serviceable rotation player for the Birds, however he simply doesn’t have a home on this team because of a numbers game unless the Eagles keep an extra defensive lineman. I will touch on the “numbers” guy who takes his place in the “keepers” place.

3.) Chad Hall : Admittedly, I’ve never been Chad’s biggest fan. However, he’s had a very productive camp by all accounts and has caught everything they’ve thrown his way. The problem, again, is a numbers driven problem. DJax, Maclin, Avant are rock solids. Riley Cooper is near certain despite his injury (although, I speculate that his leash is getting shorter. He needs to have a good year to keep his job.) Not to mention what youngsters are lurking and may be more multifaceted than Hall.

4.) Trent Edwards : I liked he Trent Edwards signing. I thought he could challenge Kafka second string reps. Now, Nick Foles appears to be the front runner for the #2 QB spot and Kafka will probably be kept around because of his draft pick status.

5.) Chas Henry : McBriar has simply out booted the young fella.he will catch on with another team, guaranteed.

6.) Chris Polk : All of the hype aside, Bryce Brown has simply outplayed Polk. Again, I think Polk has a home with another NFL team, juts not here unless Andy uses what would have been a spot he gave to a FB in the past. Perhaps Polk and Chad Hall are fighting for that last spot?

“Keepers”

1.) Phillip Hunt :

This guy never stops “going” to use a defensive coordinator term. His motor is non stop (another defensive coordinator term) and he deserves a spot on the roster. I think he sticks. Tapp may have to be traded or cut to accommodate, unless Mike Patterson open on the PUP and the Eagles keep that extra D-lineman.

2.) Damaris Johnson : The guy is lightning fast and he adds an element to the team that has been missing for years : a return threat. Has it really been since Brian Mitchell that we have had a consistent return guy on this team? (I don’t count Westbrook and Jackson because they weren’t really full time return guys for any prolonged period of time.)

3.) Mat McBriar : Chas Henry has really had a nice camp, and it would be a shame to waste a pick on a punter, however McBriar was an elite punter and looks to be at that level once again.

As a post script, Clay Harbor and Joselio Hanson have looked very good in camp and seemed to have solidified their spot on the depth chart, not necessarily their roster spot.

Andy Reid’s Son Garrett Found Dead

Andy Reid’s oldest son, Garrett, was found dead in his dorm room at 7:20 a.m. this morning in Lehigh. Reid has a history of drug issues, starting with a January, 2007 arrest for crashing his car while high on heroin.

The Eagles held Sunday morning’s practice, but Andy Reid wasn’t present. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told reporters that Reid asked the team to go forward with training camp.

Garrett Reid

Edward Schupp, Chief of Police at Lehigh, said a 911 call was made at 7:20 a.m. Schupp said Garrett Reid was deceased upon a policeman’s arrival at the campus dormitory. Schupp added “there were no suspicious activities.”

Players gathered for a team prayer before the walk-through began, and were told not to speak to reporters afterward.

Garrett Reid had been assisting the Eagles’ strength coaches at training camp.

Garrett Reid was sentenced to two years in a state drug rehabilitation program in July 2008 after being caught with 89 prescription pills inside his rectum at the Montgomery County Prison. He was in the county prison on charges related to a January 2007 car crash that seriously injured a woman.

In November, 2007, Garrett Reid, who was then 24 years old, was sentenced to 23 months in prison for smashing up another motorist’s car while he was high on heroin. His younger brother Britt got 22 months plus probation.

Andy Reid had taken a five-week leave of absence form the team in February, 2007 to deal with his family’s crisis.

At the time of his sentencing, Garrett Reid said, “I don’t want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD’d and just faded into oblivion.”

STATEMENT FROM THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Philadelphia Eagles are sad to announce that Garrett Reid, the oldest son of head coach Andy Reid, has died. Garrett Reid, 29, had been attending Eagles training camp with his father and was found in his room this morning. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo oversaw the team’s walk-through this morning, and will oversee the team until Reid’s return.

“This news is heartbreaking for everyone in the Eagles family. Our hearts go out to Andy, his wife, Tammy, and their children,” said Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie.

Okay, so if you’re not friends with me on Facebook yet, it’s time that you become one because one of the most hilarious conversations is currently taking place. Friend me and hop in. Click Here To Join In On The Fun

Michael DeLuca Has to be a mistake. It was double the bill for June and power was out for half the month. If for some reason it isn’t a mistake it’s time to start looking into solar energy or some other alternative.

Declan Daly I had same thing in past. Sometimes power companies alternate months doing estimated vs actual. You probably got billed estimated this month in which case most of that will go to a credit. Next month when billed for actual it will be next to nothing. That being said, your face is a July.

Michael DeLuca So what you’re saying is that I should not call and verbally assault the the poor soul who answers the phone for the electric company?

Declan Daly I would make sure you got billed for estimated and not actual, which I bet is the case. Then I would verbally abuse them just for the sport of it. I find it to be very therapeutic. I will often pick a fight with my server at the Olive Garden for some conjured up reason just to relieve stress. It’s way cheaper than a deep tissue massage and can sometimes get a free meal out of it.

Michael DeLuca OK good, so we’re on the same page. I’m going to try hitting the gym first but if that doesn’t get out all of my current stress and anxiety, I’m coming home and ripping a customer service rep a new one.

Declan Daly Do it anyway. I just got off the phone after ripping the cablevision customer rep a new one. She started crying and talked about how she doesn’t deserve this, has three kids blah blah blah. I have DirectTV and don’t even have cable. I just needed a release. I feel like a million bucks now.

Michael Vick has been vocal about the negative impact on the NFL of player arrests. (US Presswire)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s not just NFL commissioner Roger Goodell who’s fed up with player arrests. It’s the players themselves, and if you don’t believe me you weren’t listening to the New YorkGiants’ Osi Umenyiora last month or Philadelphia Eagles’ Michael Vick this week.

I was. I sat down with Vick after Friday’s walkthrough and sought his perspective on an epidemic of lawbreaking across the league, and I sought it because Vick’s perspective is unique: Not only did he break the law; he’s a convicted felon who spent 19 months in federal prison for running a dog-fighting ring.

I make no apologies for what Michael Vick did, but I will say this: He was punished, and, since returning to the league with the Philadelphia Eagles, he’s been a symbol of redemption — both on and off the field. He is personable, he is accountable and he is responsible, often making speeches to inner-city children on how not to be like Mike … which is why I wanted to hear what he had to say about the NFL and police blotters. Read the rest of this entry »

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